The Exorcist (TV series)

The Exorcist is an American supernatural horror television series created by Jeremy Slater for Fox. Part of The Exorcist franchise, the series serves as a direct sequel to the original 1973 film and ignores the film's various sequels.[2] Alfonso Herrera and Ben Daniels star as a pair of exorcists who investigate cases of demonic possession.

The Exorcist
Genre
Created byJeremy Slater
Based onThe Exorcist
by William Peter Blatty
Starring
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes20
Production
Executive producers
Producers
Production locations
  • Chicago, Illinois, U.S. (season 1)
  • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (season 2)
CinematographyAlex Disenhof
Running time45 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkFox
ReleaseSeptember 23, 2016 (2016-09-23) –
December 15, 2017 (2017-12-15)
Related
The Exorcist (1973 film)

The series premiered on September 23, 2016, and a second season premiered on September 29, 2017, each comprising 10 episodes.[3][4] In May 2018, the series was canceled after two seasons.[5]

Cast

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Main

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Recurring

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Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedRankViewers (millions)
First airedLast aired
110September 23, 2016 (2016-09-23)December 16, 2016 (2016-12-16)1273.15[6]
210September 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)December 15, 2017 (2017-12-15)1761.94[7]

Season 1 (2016)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
US viewers
(millions)
11"Chapter One: And Let My Cry Come Unto Thee"Rupert WyattTeleplay and Story by : Jeremy SlaterSeptember 23, 2016 (2016-09-23)1AZP012.85[8]
22"Chapter Two: Lupus in Fabula"Michael NankinHeather BellsonSeptember 30, 2016 (2016-09-30)1AZP021.98[9]
33"Chapter Three: Let 'Em In"Michael NankinDre RyanOctober 7, 2016 (2016-10-07)1AZP031.95[10]
44"Chapter Four: The Moveable Feast"Craig ZiskAdam SteinOctober 14, 2016 (2016-10-14)1AZP041.97[11]
55"Chapter Five: Through My Most Grievous Fault"Jason EnslerDavid GrimmOctober 21, 2016 (2016-10-21)1AZP051.87[12]
66"Chapter Six: Star of the Morning"Jennifer PhangLaura MarksNovember 4, 2016 (2016-11-04)1AZP061.83[13]
77"Chapter Seven: Father of Lies"Tinge KrishnanCharise Castro SmithNovember 11, 2016 (2016-11-11)1AZP071.61[14]
88"Chapter Eight: The Griefbearers"Louis MilitoMarcus GardleyNovember 18, 2016 (2016-11-18)1AZP081.67[15]
99"Chapter Nine: 162"Bill JohnsonFranklin Jin Rho & Jeremy SlaterDecember 9, 2016 (2016-12-09)1AZP091.66[16]
1010"Chapter Ten: Three Rooms"Jason EnslerJeremy SlaterDecember 16, 2016 (2016-12-16)1AZP101.75[17]

Season 2 (2017)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
US viewers
(millions)
111"Janus"Jason EnslerHeather BellsonSeptember 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)2AZP011.58[18]
Father Tomas Ortega and Father Marcus Keane try to save Cindy, a woman possessed by a demon following her miscarriage. However, things get complicated when Cindy's husband refuses to believe in his wife's possession and tries to prevent the priests from saving her. But during one of the attempts to save the young woman, the demon arrives to penetrate the spirit of Tomas. On Nachburn, an island off Seattle, Andrew Kim is about to welcome Rose Cooper, a social services representative with whom he has a shared background, to determine whether Andrew's home is suitable for children. Indeed, the latter welcomes a group of children and orphans with problems. One of the children, Caleb, a blind teenager, begins to behave strangely.
122"Safe as Houses"Deran SarafianAdam SteinOctober 6, 2017 (2017-10-06)2AZP021.36[19]
133"Unclean"Ti WestManny CotoOctober 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)2AZP031.35[20]
144"One for Sorrow"So Yong KimRebecca KirschOctober 20, 2017 (2017-10-20)2AZP041.23[21]
155"There But for the Grace of God, Go I"Alex Garcia LopezAlyssa ClarkNovember 3, 2017 (2017-11-03)2AZP051.45[22]
166"Darling Nikki"Jason EnslerFranklin Jin Rho & Adam SteinNovember 10, 2017 (2017-11-10)2AZP061.27[23]
177"Help Me"Steven A. AdelsonDavid GrimmNovember 17, 2017 (2017-11-17)2AZP071.33[24]
188"A Heaven of Hell"Meera MenonHeather Bellson & M. WillisDecember 1, 2017 (2017-12-01)2AZP081.18[25]
199"Ritual & Repetition"Elizabeth Allen RosenbaumSean CrouchDecember 8, 2017 (2017-12-08)2AZP091.15[26]
2010"Unworthy"Jason EnslerJeremy SlaterDecember 15, 2017 (2017-12-15)2AZP101.28[27]
Two officials from the Vatican arrive to deal with Father Bennet. Marcus drags an unconscious Andy through the forest when he meets up with Tomas and Mouse. While Tomas watches over Andy in the abandoned shack, Marcus and Mouse begin to argue. Tomas is drawn into a trance, where he meets up with Andy. Andy tells Tomas to record a message for Rose and the kids. While the demon and Tomas struggle, Andy calls out to Marcus, asking the ex-priest to shoot him before the demon can enter Tomas. Marcus obliges, and fires a bullet into Andy's head, killing both him and the demon. With the demon gone, Tomas breaks free from the trance. Tomas then meets up with Rose and the kids, and he relays Andy's message to them. Marcus parts ways with Tomas. Tomas then leaves with Mouse as his new partner. Meanwhile, Bennet wakes up, and has been possessed. Three months later, Rose visits Truck in a mental hospital, and adopts him, along with Verity, Shelby, Caleb, and Harper. Meanwhile, Marcus is looking out over the water at the docks, when he finally hears God's voice. He becomes troubled, and whispers Tomas's name.

Production

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Cast and crew of the series at the 2017 New York Comic Con. From left to right: Producer/writers Jeremy Slater and Sean Crouch; actors Alfonso Herrera, Ben Daniels, Zuleikha Robinson, Kurt Egyiawan, and John Cho.

Development

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Jeremy Slater wrote the pilot. Fox ordered the pilot to be shot in January 2016.[28][29] The series is described as "a propulsive, serialized psychological thriller following two very different men tackling one family's case of horrifying demonic possession, and confronting the face of true evil".[28]

Casting

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Brianne Howey was cast as Katherine Rance,[30] while Hannah Kasulka was cast as Casey Rance.[31] Alfonso Herrera and Ben Daniels were cast as Father Tomas and Father Marcus respectively,[32][33] while Kurt Egyiawan was cast as Father Bennett.[34][35] Geena Davis was cast as Angela Rance.[35] Davis, Ruck, Kasulka and Howey did not return as regular cast members in the second season, while Herrera, Egyiawan and Daniels did return, as their characters preside over a new possession case.[36] John Cho, Brianna Hildebrand, Zuleikha Robinson and Li Jun Li were cast in series regular roles for season two.[37][38][39][40] Christopher Cousins and Cyrus Arnold were cast in recurring roles.[41]

Filming

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The first season of the show was shot in Chicago.[42] Season two filming began in July 2017, in Vancouver.[43]

Home media

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DVDs for both seasons are available to purchase through Amazon.com beginning on July 10, 2018.[44]

Reception

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Ratings

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Viewership and ratings per season of The Exorcist
Season Timeslot (ET) Episodes First aired Last aired TV season Viewership
rank
Avg. viewers
(millions)
18–49
rank
Date Viewers
(millions)
Date Viewers
(millions)
1 Friday 9:00 p.m. 10 September 23, 2016 (2016-09-23) 2.85[8] December 16, 2016 (2016-12-16) 1.75[17] 2016–17 127 3.15[6] TBD
2 10 September 29, 2017 (2017-09-29) 1.58[18] December 15, 2017 1.28[27] 2017–18 176 1.94[7] TBD

Critical reception

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The Exorcist has received generally positive reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the first season a score of 79% based on 53 reviews with an average of 6.12/10. The consensus says: "The Exorcist doesn't come close to its classic source material, but still boasts a tense narrative that manages some legitimate scares and credible special effects."[45] On Metacritic, the show has a weighted average of 62/100 based on 28 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[46]

The second season received a score of 100% based on 11 reviews, with an average of 7.5/10. The consensus says: "The Exorcist continues to haunt in a more confident second season, with an assured storyline and mastery over its demonic flourishes."[47]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result
2016 BloodGuts UK Horror Awards Best TV Show Morgan Creek Entertainment Group (for The Exorcist) Nominated
2017 American Society of Cinematographers Awards[48] Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Television Movie/Miniseries/Pilot Alex Disenhof Nominated
Cine Awards[49][50] Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series Ben Daniels Won
Best Breakthrough Actor Hunter Dillon Nominated
Best Drama TV Series The Exorcist Nominated
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards[51] Best TV Actress Geena Davis Nominated
Best TV Series The Exorcist Nominated
Best TV Supporting Actor Ben Daniels Nominated
Imagen Foundation Awards[52] Best Actor - Television Alfonso Herrera Nominated
People's Choice Awards[53] Favorite New TV Drama The Exorcist Nominated
Saturn Awards[54] Best Horror Television Series The Exorcist Nominated
2018 Bloody Disgusting Reader's Choice Awards[55] Best Actor – Television Alfonso Herrera Won
iHorror Awards[56] Best Horror Series The Exorcist Won
Imagen Foundation Awards[57] Best Actor – Television Alfonso Herrera Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Radish, Christina (September 29, 2017). "'The Exorcist' EPs Tease Season 2 and the Show's "Powerful" New Possession Story". Collider.
  2. ^ Jayson, Jay (October 22, 2016). "Exorcist TV Series Revealed as Direct Sequel to Original Movie". ComicBook.com. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  3. ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (May 12, 2017). "'The Exorcist' Renewed For Season 2 By Fox". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  4. ^ Holloway, Daniel (June 22, 2017). "Fox Sets Fall Premiere Dates, Including 'Empire,' 'The Gifted,' 'The Orville'". Variety. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  5. ^ Turchiano, Danielle (May 11, 2018). "'The Exorcist' Canceled by Fox After Two Seasons". Variety. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  6. ^ a b de Moraes, Lisa (May 25, 2017). "Final 2016–17 TV Rankings: 'Sunday Night Football' Winning Streak Continues". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  7. ^ a b de Moraes, Lisa (May 22, 2018). "2017-18 TV Series Ratings Rankings: NFL Football, 'Big Bang' Top Charts". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Porter, Rick (September 26, 2016). "Friday final ratings: 'Hawaii Five-0' adjusts up, 'MacGyver' and 'Exorcist' hold". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 27, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  9. ^ Porter, Rick (October 3, 2016). "'MacGyver' and 'Exorcist' adjust down, 'Last Man Standing' adjusts up: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 4, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  10. ^ Porter, Rick (October 10, 2016). "'Hawaii Five-0' and others unchanged: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  11. ^ Porter, Rick (October 17, 2016). "'Shark Tank,' 'Blue Bloods' and 'Last Man Standing' adjust up: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  12. ^ Porter, Rick (October 24, 2016). "'Hawaii Five-0,' 'Shark Tank,' 'Hell's Kitchen' adjust up, 'Exorcist' adjusts down: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  13. ^ Porter, Rick (November 7, 2016). "'Shark Tank' adjusts up, 'The Exorcist' adjusts down: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  14. ^ Porter, Rick (November 14, 2016). "Last Man Standing' adjusts up, all others hold: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  15. ^ Porter, Rick (November 21, 2016). "The Exorcist' adjusts down: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  16. ^ Porter, Rick (December 12, 2016). "'Shark Tank,' 'Hawaii Five-0' and others unchanged: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 13, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  17. ^ a b Welch, Alex (December 19, 2016). "'Caught on Camera' adjusts down: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  18. ^ a b Porter, Rick (October 2, 2017). "'Hell's Kitchen' premiere adjusts up: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  19. ^ Porter, Rick (October 9, 2017). "'Hawaii Five-0' and 'Hell's Kitchen' adjust up, 'Exorcist' adjusts down: Friday final ratings". Archived from the original on October 9, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  20. ^ Welch, Alex (October 16, 2017). "'Hell's Kitchen,' 'MacGyver,' 'Once Upon a Time,' & more remain unchanged: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  21. ^ Porter, Rick (October 23, 2017). "'Jane the Virgin,' 'Hawaii Five-0,' all others unchanged: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 24, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  22. ^ Porter, Rick (November 6, 2017). "'Hawaii Five-0,' 'Once Upon a Time' and others unchanged: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  23. ^ Porter, Rick (November 13, 2017). "'Hawaii Five-0,' 'Hell's Kitchen,' everything else unchanged: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 14, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  24. ^ Porter, Rick (November 20, 2017). "'Hell's Kitchen,' 'MacGyver' and all others unchanged: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 21, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  25. ^ Porter, Rick (December 4, 2017). "'Blue Bloods' and 'The Exorcist' adjust down: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 5, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  26. ^ Porter, Rick (December 11, 2017). "'Blue Bloods' adjusts down: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  27. ^ a b Porter, Rick (December 18, 2017). "'Hawaii Five-0' adjusts down: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 20, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  28. ^ a b Hibberd, James (January 22, 2016). "The Exorcist TV series in the works at Fox". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  29. ^ Prudom, Laura (January 22, 2016). "'The Exorcist' Pilot Ordered at Fox with Modern Twist". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  30. ^ Petski, Denise (February 24, 2016). "Tracy Ifeachor Joins ABC Pilot 'Spark'; Brianne Howey In Fox's 'The Exorcist's". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  31. ^ Petski, Denise (February 29, 2016). "Hannah Kasulka Joins Fox's 'The Exorcist'; Sofia Black D'Elia In 'The Mick'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  32. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 2, 2016). "'Exorcist': Alfonso Herrera & Ben Daniels To Star In Fox Drama Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  33. ^ Slezak, Michael (March 2, 2016). "The Exorcist Reboot: Fox Pilot CastsFlesh and Bone, Sense8 Stars". TVLine. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  34. ^ Petski, Denise (March 3, 2016). "Geneva Carr Joins CBS Drama Pilot 'Bull'; Fox's 'The Exorcist' Adds Kurt Egyiawan". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  35. ^ a b Wagmeister, Elizabeth (March 7, 2016). "Geena Davis Cast in Fox's 'Exorcist' Reboot Pilot". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  36. ^ Ausiello, Michael (June 7, 2017). "The Exorcist Season 2 Cast Shakeup: Who's In? Who's Out?". TVLine. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  37. ^ Petski, Denise (July 7, 2017). "'The Exorcist': John Cho Joins Season 2 Cast Of Fox Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood.
  38. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 12, 2017). "'The Exorcist' Adds 'Deadpool's Brianna Hildebrand As Season 2 Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood.
  39. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 17, 2017). "'The Exorcist' Adds Zuleikha Robinson As Season 2 Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood.
  40. ^ Petski, Denise (July 26, 2017). "'The Exorcist' Adds Li Jun Li For Season 2". Deadline Hollywood.
  41. ^ Petski, Denise (August 15, 2017). "'The Exorcist': Christopher Cousins & Cyrus Arnold Set To Recur In Season 2 Of Fox Series". Deadline Hollywood.
  42. ^ Metz, Nina (May 11, 2016). "Fox's 'The Exorcist,' 'A.P.B.' to film in Chicago for next TV season". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  43. ^ @bendanielsss (July 28, 2017). "4.30am, filth covered, voice ragged, every single muscle aching. Us two drain laughing through it all. Exorcist S02 1st day shooting. #heaven" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  44. ^ "The Exorcist DVD Release date". dvdreleasedates.com. June 22, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  45. ^ "The Exorcist: Season 1 – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  46. ^ "The Exorcist (2016) – Season 1 Reviews – Metacritic". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  47. ^ "The Exorcist: Season 2 – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  48. ^ "31st ASC Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography". ASC Web Site. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  49. ^ @_CineAddiction (November 29, 2017). "Nominated for the #2017CineAwards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series: #BenDaniels - #TheExorcist!!!" (Tweet). Retrieved November 29, 2017 – via Twitter.
  50. ^ @_CineAddiction (February 22, 2018). "AND THE WINNER OF THE #2017CineAwards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series is......... #BenDaniels - #TheExorcist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! @bendanielsss @TheExorcistFOX" (Tweet). Retrieved February 22, 2018 – via Twitter.
  51. ^ "Never mind Oscar, here's the 2017 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards Nominees Ballot!". fangoria.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  52. ^ "Nominations Announced for 32nd Annual Imagen Awards". July 6, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  53. ^ "People's Choice Awards 2017: Full List Of Winners". People's Choice. January 19, 2017. Archived from the original on January 20, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  54. ^ McNary, Dave (March 1, 2017). "Saturn Awards Nominations 2017: 'Rogue One,' 'Walking Dead' Lead". Variety. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  55. ^ @BDisgusting (January 8, 2018). "Congrats to Alfonso Herrera for being voted BEST ACTOR IN TV by @bdisgusting readers for his role on @theexorcistFox! #BDReadersChoice2017" (Tweet). Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Twitter.
  56. ^ "Official 2018 iHorror Awards Winner". June 25, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  57. ^ "Nominations Announced for 33rd Annual Imagen Awards". June 28, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
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